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^ he Peerless Series 



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No. 71 



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Once Upon a Midnight 

A Dramatization of Poe's "Raven" 

By Vincent P. Sullivan 



PRICE 50 CENTS 



Frank J. Stanton, Publisher 
Norwich, N. Y. 

^, ,, ,s J 



I 



I 



All 25 cents each 

15 Peerless Minstrel Book, No. 4 The latest in 
the minstrel material collection, all dished up, red hot and 
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16 A Couple of Lunatics A most successful dra- 
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presentation on stage, in parlor or church, as only an ordi- 
nary setting or room is necessary. Runs about fifteen min- 
utes and will delight any audience. 

17 Who Wouldn't be a Boy? A monologue. You 
can imagine at once what it is about and no doubt it will / 
carry you back to your own childhood and its pranks. It/ 
is full of laughs, first to last. 

18 The Trickster Tricked A very clever little 
farce in two scenes for seven characters, 5 male 2 female. 
Is easily staged and has fine old man, character old man, 
soubrette, male and female colored servants, genteel young 
man, etc. It is highly enjoyable and you are sure to like 
it. It runs about 25 minutes. 

Stanton Amusement Co., Norwich, N. Y. 



Once Upon a Midnight 



A Dramatization of Poe's *'Raven" 



By Vincent P. Sullivan 



Copyright, 1922 

FRANKJ. STANTON 

Norwich, New York 



.t.^ 



Once Upon a Midnight >^ 

SYNOPSIS 

This one act play, a dramatization of Edgar Allan Poe's celebrated po- 
em, "The Raven," telh the story of a remorseful young Student who suf- 
fered h's true love to die of a broken heart. The action takes place 
"ONCE UPON A MIDNIGHT," exactly one year aft;r the awful event, 
that frightful n'ght in bhak December, wh n the lovcly Lenore perished 
in the storm, killed by the cru;l;y of her bver. The Studeni; is dis- 
covered po.-ing over his books in an effort to bmish his dreadful msm:- 
ries, when, in the lull of the storm, a queer tapping is hear i. He traces 
this tapping to his window, and op^n ng it, a "stately Riv:n of the 
saintly days of yore" stalks in and alights on the bust of Pallas over the 
door. Oat of sheer curio2ity he addresses the Raven and is surprised 
and terrified to receive a reply. He questions it franti:ally but to all' 
queries it has but one answer, "Never, nevermore." These replies are 
made by Voice of the Night, the character visible to the audience but un- 
seen by the Student. Exhausted, the Student sinks into a dream. In 
this dream the troupe of dancing children, garbed as angfls, enter, 
swinging incense and laying a path of roses, waereupon, presently enters 
the Spirit of Lenore. She sings "Lenore's Answer" and in a dim light 
disappears. The Student awakens from his dream and begs the Raven 
te tell "it within the distant heaven he shall clasp the sainted maiden 
whom the angels name Lenore." But to all his pleading? and entreaties 
the terrible verdict remains, "Nevermore." Infuriated, the wretched 
youth hurls the lighted hmp at the offending Raven, and daybreak re- 
veals the lifeless form of the unhappy young man huddled in a corner of 
the room. The Spirit of Lenore again enters and sings. An encore verse 
and chorus is sung by the Company, with "happy ending" effect, show- 
ing that the little play was only the Student's dream. / 

COSTUMES / 

For STUDENT, general make-up of Poe in his youth. 
For VOICE OF THE NIGHT, black tights and cloak. 
For LENORE, flowing white robe and handsome large wings. 
For DANCING CHILDREN, (3 with incense and 3 with baskets of ro- 
ses,) white dresses and gum shoes, (wings not essential.) 

PERMISSION 

to produce this Play must be obtained of the Publisher. All rights are 
reserved. 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1922 

BY FRANK J. STANTON, 

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington 

■©CI.D60544 p^_^,3^ 



Once Upon a Midnight 

CAST OF CHARACTERS 
THE YOUNG STUDENT, 
VOICE OF THE NIGHT, 
THE SPIRIT OF LENORE, 
BALLET OF DANCING CHILDREN. 

SCENE — A library. Large open fireplace in which a fire is bu'-ning at 
R. Large doorway, with purple velvet curtains, in Flat at R cf C. 
Above the door is a bust (cf "Pallas".) Lattice window at L 1 , An 
invisible wi e is arranged to convey an imitation raven, which seems 
to enter the window, to the head cf the bust. Table with I'ghted 
lamp at R C. On table diso'dered piles of books. No lights but the 
lamp and the flickering light from hearth. Student, in deep thought, 
is discovered seated at table. At rise of curtain slight chtter of chairs 
and high winds of winter are heard. 

VOICE OF THE NIGHT-peers through the curtains and speaks: 
Once again on midnight dreary, there he ponders, weak 

and weary. 
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore-- 
Now he's nodding, nearly napping, now I'll send the fatal 

tapping, 
Yes, like some one gently rapping, rapping at his chamber 

door, disappears and a tapping is heard. 

STUDENT--rousing himself in chair, What! some visitor, 

some caller, tapping at my lodging door-- 
Only this and nothing more, rises, starts to go to door, pauses 
Ah, distinctly I remember it's the selfsame bleak December. 
Then as now, each dying ember casts its ghost upon the 

floor. 
Oh! that God would send the morrow! Vainly I have 

sought to borrow 
From my books surcease of sorrow- -sorrow for the lost 

Lenore-- takes portrait of Lenore from table 
For that rare, that radiant maiden whom the angels name 

Lenore- - 
Nameless here for evermore, goes to door— movement of curtains 



Once Upon a Midnight 



Ah! the silken, sad, uncertain rustling of each purple cur- 
tain 

Thrills me, fills me with fantastic terrors never felt before. 

Now I must, to still the beating of my heart, stand here 
repeating. 

What's this visitor entreating entrance at my lodging door ? 

Who's this visitor entreating entrance at my lodging door? 

'Tis some friend, I hope, no more. 

Fears to hell! my soul grows stronger: he parts curtains and 
stands in hall looking L hesitate I will no longer. 

Sir, I pray, or madam, truly your forgiveness I implore; 

But the fact is I was napping, and So gently you came 
rapping, 

Yes, so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my lodging 
door, goes L behind Flat, sound of opening street door 

That I scarce was sure I heard you. What! I open wide the 
door. 

Darkness, night and nothing more. 

Deep into the darkness peering, must I stand here, won- 
dering, fearing. 

Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream 
before? 

Must the silence be unbroken, must the stillness give no 
token ? 

Not a single word is spoken, not a whispered word— sound 
of locking a door 



VOICE OF THE NIGHT uncanny tone Lenore. 

STUDENT Re-enters Who has whispered ? Let the 
murmur back the word 



echo 



VOICE OF THE NIGHT Lenore. 

STUDENT with terror Merely this? Oh God, no more! i 

Half my heart is dead from yearning, all my soul within f 
is burning, tapping is heard again 

What! again I hear a tapping somewhat louder than before. 

Surely that is, surely that is something at my window lat- 
tice, goes to window and opens the casement 

Let me see,then,what thereat is, and this mystery explore-- 

Let my heart be still a moment, and this mystery explore— 

'Tis the wind, thank God, no more. 

I'll make sure opens lattice and try the shutter. What is all 



Once Upon a Midnight 



this flirt and flutter? the wire over bust is pulled and bird 

seems to fly from window and perch en bust 
Heaven and earth! a stately Raven of the saintly days of 

yore! 
Not the least obeisance made he, not a minute stopped or 

stayed he, 
But, with mien or lord or lady, perched above my chamber 

door. 
Perch, old bird! is there no more? sits, facing the bird 
Yes, this ebony bird is gulling my sad fancy into smiling, 
By the grave and stern decorum, and his eyes of blood-red 

gore. 
Though thy crest is shorn and shaven, thou, old bird, art 

sure no craven. 
Ghastly, grim, and ancient Raven, wandering from the 

nightly shore, 
Tell me what thy lordly name is on the night's Plutonian 

shore! 
Croak, sir Raven, 

VOICE OF THE NIGHT Nevermore. 

STUDENT Much I marvel this ungainly fowl can hear 

discourse so plainly, 
Though his answer little meaning, little relevancy bore. 
For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being 
Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber 

door-- 
Bird or beast upon the scuptured bust above his chamber 

door. 
Croaking only "Nevermore." 
Come, sir Raven, sitting lonely, why upon the bust speak 

only 
That one word, as if your soul in that one word you do 

outpour? 
Will you nothing further utter? will you not a feather 

flutter? 
Ah well, I myself must mutter, "Other friends have flown 

before. 
On the morrow you will leave me, as my friends have flown 

before." 
Croak, sir Raven, 

VOICE OF THE NIGHT Nevermore. 



Once Upon a Midnight 



STUDENT startled How the still, dead night is broken, 

by reply so aptly spoken. 
And yet, doubtless what it utters is its only stock and store. 
Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful 

disaster 
Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden 

bore-- 
Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore of 

VOICE OF THE NIGHT Never, nevermore. 

STUDENT So, sir Raven, still beguiling my sad fancy 
into smiling, 

Wait! I'll wheel this cushioned seat in front of you, and 
bust, and door, changes position of the chair 

Here upon the velvet sinking, I'll betake myself to linking 

Fancy unto fancy, thinking what an ominous bird of yore. 

What a grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird 
of yore. 

Means in croaking "Nevermore.'' paus2 

Here I sit engaged in guessing, but no syllable addressing 

To this fowl whose fiery eyes now burn into my bosom's 
core, pause 

This and more I sit divining, with my head at ease reclining 

On the cushion's velvet lining, with the lamplight gloat- 
ing o'er. 

But whose velvet violet lining, with the lamplight gloat- 
ing o'er. 

She shall press, ah, nevermore, kisses portrait of Lenore pause 
faint, soft music is heard 

Ah, methinks the air grows denser, perfumed by some 
unseen censor. 

Swung by angels whose faint footfalls tinkle on the tufted 
floor. He sleeps. Enter ballet of children, three swinging in- 
. cense, and three with fancy baskets of flowers. They scatter the 
flowers from the door to Student's chair, making a path. They 
then dance around Student and Exit. Enter SPIRIT OF LEN- 
ORE over the path of flowers to Student's chair. She sings first 
verse and chorus of "Lenore's Answer," and then disappears un- 
der a dim light. Student awakens with a shriek. 

STUDENT to Raven Wretch! Oh wretch! thy God hath 
lent thee-- by these angels he hath sent thee 



Oace Upon a Midnight 

Respite--respite and nepenthe from thy memories of 

Lenore. 
Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe, and forget the lost 

Lenore. 
Speak, sir Raven! 

VOICE OF THE NIGHT Nevermore. 

STUDENT Prophet, prophet, thing of evil!-- prophet 
still, if bird or devil! 
Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee 

here ashore, 
Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted-- 
On this home by horror haunted--tell me truly I implore, 
Is there, is there balm in Gilead ? Tell me, tell me, I im- 
plore! 

VOICE OF THE NIGHT Never, nevermore. 

STUDENT Prophet, prophet, thing of evil! prophet 

still, if bird or devil! 
By that Heaven that bends above us-- by that God we both 

adore- - 
Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant 

Aidenn, 
It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name 

Lenore- - 
Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name 

Lenore? 

VOICE OF THE NIGHT Never, nevermore. 

STUDENT in agony Be that word our sign of parting, 

bird or fieiid, this is the parting! 
Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian 

shore! 
Leave no black plume as a token, of the lie thy soul hath 

spoken! 
Leave my loneliness unbroken! quit that bust above my 

door! 
Take thy beak from out my heart! take, take thy form 

from off my door! he hurls the lighted lamp at the Raven. 

All lights out 



Once Upon a Midnight 



VOICE OF THE NIGHT Never, nevermore. STUDENT is 
dead. Dim spot-light St^ows bis lifeless form on the fl:or. Spot- 
light on curtains shows SPIRIT OF LENORE Entering. She 
sings second verse and chorus of "Lenore's Answer." Immediate- 
ly after song, between the curtains, in the spot-light, is seen 

VOICE OF THE NIGHT And the Raven, never flitting, 
still is sitting, still is sitting 

On the pallid bust of Pallas just above his chamber door; 

And its eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is 
dreaming. 

And the hearth-light o'er him streaming throws his shad- 
ow on the floor; 

And his soul indicating student from out the shadow that lies 
floating on the floor. 

Shall be lifted--nev€frmore! 

GRAND FINALE by entire cast, singing "Happy Ending" version 
of "Lenore's Answer." 

Our little play about Lenore 

Is but a wild nightmare of yore; 

For here they stand all safe and sound, -- 

Lenore with wedding roses crown'd. 

Chorus: 
Your day will come and toil will bring you glory. 
When fortune's store will cheer your weary heart. 
Friends come and go as this old world rolls on; / 

Through loss and gain, Truth will remain! / 

When foes are dead and gone. / 

' CURTAIN 



*:,:*The complete words and music of "Lenore's Answer", (published 
by the N. Y. Trend Pub. Co., 652 39th St., Brooklyn, N. Y.,) will be* 
sent postpaid for 25 cts by the STANTON AMUSEMENT CO., NOR-|' 
WICH, N. Y. 



n 



25 cents each except as stated 

28 Too Much of a Good Thing An interlude for 
3 male characters, two blacks. Very laughable and funny. 
It will fit in nicely in any entertainment, minstrel or other. 
Will run about 1 5 minutes. 

29 Jingles, No. Two Our Jingles, No. One, proved 
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Jingles No. 1 certainly "touched the spot." Singular how long it 
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Stanton Amusement Co., Norwich, N. Y. 



LIBRARY OF CONGHt&& 

016 255 837 7 # 




All 25 cents each 

34 The Servant Problem Solved. A rattling 
good sketch for two males, one of whom is the funniest kind 
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35 The Widow and the Widower. A farce that 
is running over with laughs. Good for 20 minutes. Has a 
clever old lady character, good old man and a pretty girl. 
The old man wants the young lady and the old lady wants 
the old man. 

36 Not a Criminal After All. A sketch for 3 males 
running 30 minutes. Very interesting throughout, showing 
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37 How She Got a Husband. A sketch for 2 males 
and 2 females. Runs 30 minutes and someting doing every 
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38 The Doctor's Assistant. An extremely funny 
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Stanton Amusement Co., Norwich, N. Y. 



